Tech and UTC split matches before conference play starts

Mar 18, 2009

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Golden Eagle tennis teams
traveled to another time zone. Granted it was only an hour ahead in
Chattanooga, but timing was key. The men's team picked up their
first shut-out win of the season of the UTC Mocs and the women fell
4-3.

Both teams return home this Friday to begin OVC play when they host
Morehead State at 12 and 2 p.m. with the women to play first. They
will both play home against UT Martin at 2 p.m. on Saturday while
the men will also play a home match against Appalachian State on
Sunday at 11 a.m.

"The guys played great," said coach Dan Silverstein. "They came
together as a team and it showed on the court."

Tech men got things started off right earning the doubles point,
claiming wins at number two and three.

Freshman Alex Chen teamed up with sophomore Mario Gutierrez to win
at the second spot 8-6 after the all-freshmen duo of Justin
Kirstein and Oscar Pachon won at number three 8-2.

With the lead heading into singles, Tech continued on the winning
path.

Reigning OVC Player of the Week, sophomore Dean O'Brien, who also
just moved up the rankings to the No. 102 spot, picked up a
straight sets win at number one 6-3, 6-2.

Tech also won in straight sets at two, three, four and six. Pachon
lost the first set 5-7, but rebounded for to win the next two sets
to give Tech the sweep of the Mocs.

However, the Mocs earned a bit of revenge when the Lady Mocs were
able to scrap out a 4-3 win over Tech's women.

"This was a disapointing loss for the women," Silverstein said. "It
will help us get ready for conference play on Friday."

The match ended up coming down to the doubles point where Tech was
swept.

Sophomore Kelly Holtzhausen remained undefeated this spring at the
top spot giving up only three games in a 6-1, 6-2 win.